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Palazzo Angelica

This beautiful Italian-style villa is a restored heritage building perched on the edge of a charming hilltop town. Its six rustic rooms offer an intimate and quiet escape in an exceptional natural setting, with an outdoor pool and spa area overlooking scenic views.

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Rooms from

£63per night

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Occupancy

Rooms

Adults

Children

Ages of children

Airport

Location

8/10

It's a winding but picturesque drive up to the hilltop town of Oprtalj, reached via many hairpin turns spiralling through pine forests. Palazzo Angelica sits on the edge of the hilltop with scenic views over the old town and surrounding valley. With only two taverns serving (excellent) Istrian cuisine, those looking for more bustle and nightlife may find this hamlet a bit too quiet.

The nearby hilltop towns of Grožnjan and Motovun are a 25- and 30-minute drive away respectively, while tourist hotspots such as Rovinj and Pula can be reached in just over an hour by road. The closest airports are in Pula (51 miles) and Trieste (56 miles).

Style & character

8/10

Inside the late 19th-century Italian-style villa, the restored interiors are dressed up in a warm, romantic style with a touch of country-glam in the terracotta tile floors, patina-finished furniture and flounce curtains. The feeling here is of a bed and breakfast or a friend's country house. Guests are welcome to use the open kitchen on the ground floor just off the dining area and make themselves a cup of tea, or lounge in the garden and admire the views. Palazzo Angelica plays host to travellers looking to get away from the tourist bustle and experience a taste of small town living.

Service & facilities

8/10

Facilities have been designed to make the most of the scenic views. The outdoor pool and adjacent sun deck overlook the old town and rolling hills, while tucked in the basement is a small but well-designed spa space with a wall of windows overlooking the picturesque valley. The loungers and tiled mosaic whirlpool are strategically placed to face the view, and a Finnish sauna, steam room and a few fitness machines complete the offering.

Helpful staff are on hand to suggest activities in the area and assist with booking restaurant reservations and excursions, including truffle-hunting and yacht trips. Guests also have free use of bicycles.

Fitness centre

Laundry

Parking

Pool

Restaurant

Room service

Sauna

Spa

Steam room/hammam

Wi-Fi

Rooms

8/10

The six light-filled rooms are done up in a romantic shabby-chic style of patina-finished furniture, cast iron bed frames and curtained canopies in some. Rooms Five and Six are the largest and sunniest thanks to windows on two sides, and add sitting areas made up of a love-seat and armchair. Room Five has the bonus of a balcony and a superb view of the old town.

Little extras include safes, slippers and robes, but minibars and kettles are absent (guests are welcome to use the kitchen facilities on the ground floor). Bathrooms are fitted with either showers or tubs, and include luxury Trussardi toiletries.

Food & drink

7/10

At breakfast, served in the sunny dining room, guests can expect high-quality tea (rare in Croatia) and coffee, freshly baked croissants, Istrian ham, smoked salmon and made to order eggs in addition to the usual fresh fruit, cereals and bread. There's no on-site restaurant but room service can be arranged from the town's two excellent restaurants serving typical Istrian cuisine.

Value for money

7/10

Double rooms from €80 (£72) in low season; and from €180 (£161) in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi. Open from March until the beginning of November.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Not suitable.

Family-friendly?

Cots are available for €5 (£4) extra. Camp beds for children are charged at €10 (£9).